Huntsville High School junior Sierra Gedelian leads worship nights and mentorship initiative aimed at building relationships and spiritual growth at Good Shepherd Mission
A local high school junior is stepping into leadership with a project aimed at meeting both physical and spiritual needs in the community, bringing together worship, mentorship, and intentional discipleship at the Good Shepherd Mission.
Seventeen-year-old Sierra Gedelian, a student at Huntsville High School and member of First Baptist Church Huntsville, is leading a multi-week initiative designed to connect with residents of the mission and guide them into deeper spiritual growth through relationships and structured mentorship.
The effort begins with two community-wide worship nights, scheduled for Saturday, April 11, and Saturday, April 18, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Good Shepherd Mission. The gatherings are open to the public and will include free food, testimonies, and a message centered on spiritual maturity and hope.
“This is really about giving people a desire in their heart to walk in a deeper intimacy with Jesus,” Gedelian said during an interview.
A Two-Part Approach Focused on Relationship
The initiative is built around a clear two-phase structure designed to move beyond a one-night experience and into long-term transformation.
The first phase consists of the two worship nights, which serve as a starting point. These gatherings are intended to create a welcoming atmosphere, build trust, and begin forming relationships between volunteers from First Baptist Church and residents at the mission.
“The goal of the worship nights is to lay the groundwork for relationship building,” Gedelian said.
Those relationships are key, because the second phase of the project centers on discipleship. After the two worship nights, individuals who choose to continue will be invited to join a structured discipleship program.
Participants will be paired in a 2-to-1 format, with two mentors from the church walking alongside one individual. This approach is designed to provide consistency, accountability, and a stronger sense of support.
Each group will go through a discipleship curriculum based on materials from the Navigators program, which includes Scripture readings, guided questions, and practical applications aimed at helping individuals grow in their faith.
The program is expected to run for approximately six weeks, with some flexibility built in depending on participation and scheduling needs.
Open to the Community, Focused on the Mission
While the discipleship portion is primarily geared toward residents of the Good Shepherd Mission, the worship nights are intentionally open to anyone in the community.
Organizers expect that some individuals may come for the free meal or fellowship but will be invited to stay for worship and conversation.
“It is mainly for the residents of the mission, but it’s also for anybody in the public who comes,” Gedelian said.
That open-door approach reflects the heart behind the project — meeting people where they are and creating opportunities for connection.
It also creates space for individuals who may not yet have a personal relationship with Jesus.
Creating Space for Questions and Growth
Gedelian made it clear that while discipleship traditionally begins after someone accepts Christ, the program will not turn people away if they are still exploring their faith.
Instead, those individuals will be welcomed into conversations, encouraged to ask questions, and supported as they begin their journey.
“If someone wants to ask questions about Jesus and get to know Him, we’re totally happy to help them in that walk of life,” she said.
That mindset shifts the focus from a rigid structure to a relational environment — one where people are invited to take the next step, wherever they may be starting.
From Gold Award Project to Community Impact
The initiative is part of Gedelian’s Gold Award Project through the Girl Scouts of the USA, the highest honor in the organization and comparable to the Eagle Scout rank.
The Gold Award requires participants to identify a community issue and develop a sustainable solution through leadership and service.
For Gedelian, the issue she saw was deeper than physical need.
“I just thought about people who feel hopeless,” she said. “Our society teaches us to rely on circumstances and material things, but Jesus brings a new hope and a new confidence.”
Her own experience with discipleship played a major role in shaping the project.
“When I was being discipled, it helped me so much,” she said. “And I desire for that to go out to other people who still need Jesus.”
Originally, Gedelian explored the idea of hosting a Vacation Bible School-style event at the mission. However, after discussions with leadership, she recognized that a short-term event would not create the lasting impact she was hoping for.
“There is such a need for Christ,” she said. “Even though it’s a faith-based organization, it’s easy for residents to come and go without real change.”
The Power of Consistent Relationships
One of the defining elements of the program is the 2-to-1 mentorship model.
By pairing two mentors with one participant, the program ensures that relationships remain consistent even if schedules shift. It also allows for deeper conversations and shared responsibility among mentors.
“It’s two mentors with one person being discipled, just for consistency and comfort,” Gedelian said.
This structure is designed to create a safe and encouraging environment where participants feel supported and known.
Rather than simply attending a class or listening to a message, individuals are invited into a relationship where they can ask questions, share struggles, and grow over time.
A Church Ready to Serve
The project is being carried out through First Baptist Church Huntsville, which Gedelian said has been instrumental in helping bring the idea to life.
“I have such a good church community that if I have an idea, we can bring it into action,” she said.
While the scope of the program is intentionally limited — due in part to the mission’s typical capacity of around 20 residents — Gedelian said she would welcome involvement from other churches if there is a clear opportunity to serve.
“If other churches wanted to come in and find a way that they could serve, that would be amazing,” she said.
Still, she emphasized that the goal is not to create something large for the sake of size, but something meaningful for the people involved.
Addressing More Than Physical Needs
The Good Shepherd Mission provides essential services for individuals in need, including shelter and meals. Gedelian’s project seeks to complement those efforts by focusing on spiritual growth and long-term transformation.
Her vision recognizes that while meeting physical needs is vital, lasting change often requires something deeper.
“There’s a difference between someone coming in, receiving help, and leaving the same — and someone encountering Christ and experiencing real change,” she said.
By combining worship, mentorship, and discipleship, the program aims to create opportunities for that kind of transformation.
Community Invitation and How to Get Involved
The upcoming worship nights are the entry point for the entire initiative, and the community is invited to take part.
Each night will include a free meal, testimonies, worship, and a message centered on hope and spiritual growth. The gatherings will take place from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Good Shepherd Mission on April 11 and April 18.
For those interested in participating in the discipleship program, there are several ways to get connected. Individuals may attend one of the worship nights and sign up in person, or they can reach out through First Baptist Church Huntsville by calling 936-291-3441 or emailing office@fbchuntsville.org. Information will be relayed directly to program organizers.
Partnership with Mission Leadership
The effort is being coordinated in partnership with leadership at the Good Shepherd Mission, where Monte Robinson serves as director. His collaboration has helped ensure the program is aligned with the needs of the residents and the ongoing work already taking place at the mission.
By working alongside existing leadership, the project aims to strengthen and support what is already happening, rather than duplicate efforts.
Looking Ahead
As the program begins, Gedelian plans to take a flexible, step-by-step approach, adjusting based on participation and need.
“We’re going to take it step by step, seeing how many people sign up and where the need is,” she said.
That approach allows the project to remain focused on people rather than numbers, ensuring that each participant receives the attention and support needed.
A Student Leading With Purpose
For Gedelian, the project represents more than a requirement for an award. It is a reflection of her faith and a response to what she believes God has called her to do.
Her goal is simple: to help people come to know Jesus and grow in their relationship with Him.
“Our goal is for people to come to Jesus and to know Him better,” she said.
In a community where needs vary widely, her effort stands as a reminder that meaningful impact does not always start with an organization or a program. Sometimes, it begins with one person willing to step forward and serve.
And in this case, that step is creating space for hope, connection, and a deeper walk of faith right here in Huntsville.